ANTI-CAPITALIST campaigners in the region joined the global Occupy movement with the first in a series of protests.

The Occupy Darlington group set up a temporary camp in the town centre on Saturday to promote the Occupy cause.

The group, which numbers more than 100 on Facebook, pitched a tent in Pease Place and handed leaflets to shoppers.

Mark Rowntree, who started the group, said: "We wanted to give the people of Darlington some knowledge about what is happening with banking and society in general and what the future is for our children.

"I am glad people are taking notice. I think a lot of people think the same, but it is whether we do something about it."

Mr Rowntree, 31, who has a seven-year-old son, said: "Really, I'm the ordinary man. I have no political agenda, but I think these things affect all of us.

"Over the last few years, I have lost money in wages and my quality of life has gone down while everything else goes up. I think this is going to be long-term.

"I looked at my son and wondered what the future is going to hold for him."

Further action is planned over the coming weekends.